“This is delicious!”
AJ got exactly what Ed promised: a large chocolate fountain. Various fruits and marshmallows of different shapes surrounded it, already skewered and ready to be dipped into the thick, fragrant, sweet liquid.
“Yes, but don’t bring it near your mother!” Lori sternly warned, knowing that a drop of chocolate could stain Ruby’s dress.
“Yeah... yeah...” AJ mumbled and pouted, but he made sure not to approach his mother when he had chocolate after that.
Lori was AJ’s weakness. She spoiled him but was also very strict when scolding him. She wasn’t afraid to make AJ cry if he was in the wrong.
Ruby remembered this repeatedly and planned to invite Lori over often in the future so that AJ would learn not to be too spoiled.
“Thank you,” Ruby whispered as Lori sat back down beside her.
“I don’t.” Ed, who was beside Ruby, muttered. He coul
“You dare interrupt me…”“Sorry, but I won’t stay silent when someone accuses me without reason.” Ruby smiled.Mia was stunned. Mia realized that Ruby was not the same girl who used to remain silent under her oppressive influence.“Aunt Mia, you said earlier that you wanted Ed to be happy by choosing the right woman, didn’t you? I want the same. I’ve always wanted Ed to be happy. Lacking nothing. Always. There’s nothing wrong with that intention, is there?”Mia clicked her tongue. “That’s what you say! Who will believe the words of someone like Ramos? You and your father...”“My name is Herrera, not Ramos—and now Rosas. I won’t deny who my father is, but I won’t let you lump all his children together. I’m different from Liz.” Ruby glanced around, realizing she was speaking too loudly, and then lowered her voice.“It&
"Don't." Ed reached for Ruby's phone, which was already raised in front of her face, ready to make a video call as soon as they arrived at the hotel."Just for a moment," Ruby pleaded."You were the one in a hurry to leave the house, Ruby. We just got here, and you already want to call him?" Ed was slightly amused.Ruby had been excited to leave, but during their trip—a roughly three-hour flight—her excitement dwindled and turned into worry."What if AJ throws a fit? This is different from before. We've never left him alone with someone else and stayed overnight somewhere else." The farther away she got from AJ, the more uncertain Ruby became.They were in Tulum, on the eastern coast of Mexico—the opposite side from Puerto Vallarta. It wasn’t too far because Ed had chosen a place within reach, just in case they suddenly needed to return because of AJ."Otz didn't report anything, and when I asked, he said everything w
“I actually don’t know.” Ed gave a wry smile, a mix of regret and resignation."When my father died, I wasn't at a stage where I wanted to learn about business matters. Javier and I grew up in a peaceful environment. We had fun however we wanted—Javier would always drag me along to have fun.” Ed smiled, knowing that it was always Javier who had the wildest ideas for their fun.“I once visited the tequila factory, and that’s all I knew. I only learned about the remaining details after my parents passed away. It was not a pleasant experience to discover this information, and it was already too late to inquire. That incident occurred shortly after our visit to Esli."Ed suddenly remembered. “We received an invitation from Esli. I met Liz, and that was the last event I attended with my parents. After that, everything…” Ed gestured with his hands to show how everything had fallen apart.It was a bit
"I don't want to." AJ grabbed the car door, gripping it tightly. He wouldn’t let Ruby open it."AJ, you're going to be late." Ruby didn’t scold him; she was already at the point of pleading. After battling with AJ earlier this morning, Ruby was exhausted. AJ had refused to go to school, which made no sense since he shouldn't have had a reason to hate anyone yet. It was his first day of school."AJ, we've been talking about this for a week. You have to go back to school. This isn't up for discussion. You must go." Ruby emphasized, trying to push the door on AJ’s side, but it wouldn't budge."Ed!" Ruby called out, asking Ed to unlock the front door because AJ had locked it again."Do you want me to walk you inside?" Ed offered a more peaceful approach, not wanting to force AJ to go in alone."Okay." AJ mumbled in agreement, still reluctant, but better than before. Ruby wasn’t entirely pleased. Normally, AJ didn’t need to
Ruby could still lift her head.“Just dizzy. I guess yelling so much this morning wasn't healthy,” Ruby complained. She already felt exhausted from all the drama, even though her day was far from over.Ed smiled and started the car. “You're too tense. I think it's not just AJ who's anxious about his first day of school.”“Indeed,” Ruby muttered. Of course, she was also worried about AJ's situation. Although frustrated and angry, Ruby was genuinely concerned that AJ might struggle to fit in.Ruby knew Ed chose that school because of its quality, but it was vastly different from AJ's previous school.“Relax. AJ is very sociable and friendly. He is also acquainted with some of the children who attended our wedding. They go to the same school. It won't be completely unfamiliar,” Ed reassured her.At the wedding, some guests had brought their children, who helped AJ devour the chocolate fountain. Th
"Where did she go?" Mia murmured as she re-entered the house with Mayte. Ruby was nowhere to be seen."Let's just go inside." Mia pulled Mayte along, guiding her to the table that Tita had prepared. It was filled with tea and cakes."I'm glad you could come today," Mia said."Thank you for the invitation." Mayte politely sat down and took the cup of tea meant for her."I'm really sorry. I didn't know Ed would remarry so quickly." Mia shook her head, looking regretful. Mayte just gave a strained smile.It was Mia who informed Mayte about Ed's wedding cancellation as soon as she heard the news. Although the details weren't complete yet, since Ed hadn't mentioned getting remarried, Mia had already given Mayte hope, only to crush it later with the news of the wedding.It took Mayte more than a month to finally accept Mia's invitation. She had been too shaken, but once again, Mia had nurtured her hopes."The important thing is that you're
Mayte looked up, gazing at Ruby, and once again felt astonished. Ruby's point of view had never been so sharply—and bravely—expressed in Mia's presence."I'm right, aren't I?" Ruby sought Mayte's opinion."Mayte and I couldn't choose our fathers or where we were born..." Ruby turned her gaze back to Mia and smiled."But you can choose, Tia. You’re free to choose who you marry and who you befriend, but it turns out both choices were wrong."Mia flushed deeply, but her lips remained sealed. She had no retort, unable to pick up any crumbs to turn the situation around because Ruby had left no crumbs—nothing. It was too direct to be countered."I’d love to stay longer with you both, but AJ’s already home. I have to be with him. See you later, Mayte. It’s been a pleasure meeting you." Ruby smiled warmly and nodded at Mia before leaving the table.Another bang was heard—Mia slammed the table onc
"Hi, you're Abuela's guest."AJ greeted Mayte in the kitchen as she warmed milk in front of the heater. The kitchen activities had ended, and Tita and the other servants were nowhere to be seen."My name is Mayte." Mayte smiled and extended her hand.They had met earlier but hadn't had a chance to introduce themselves. Mia didn't seem interested in making introductions, and Ruby didn't either; in fact, she seemed to want to keep AJ away. Understandable, though."Alvaro Javier Here… Rosas. Alvaro Javier Rosas. Just AJ, though. It's easier." AJ smiled and took Mayte's hand."Oh… I see." Mayte instantly understood the reason behind the name.Mayte hadn't believed Lori when she mentioned the child—after the marriage was official—but she couldn’t deny it now, seeing the child standing tall in front of her—clearly a Rosas."Are you warming some milk? I want it too." AJ had come to the kitchen to grab a